Tuesday, January 24, 2012

East Toronto Sunday morning breastfeeding clinic at Evymama!

Whether you are a first-time mom, new to breastfeeding, or have nursed more than one child, questions, troubles, and complications can come up with any nursing relationship. Rather than muddling through breastfeeding or "toughing it out" (getting more injured or frustrated by the minute) consider seeing a breastfeeding expert.

Evymama has teamed up with two incredible women to bring you a breastfeeding clinic onSunday mornings (that black hole of a time when it is nearly impossible to find help!) at our Danforth nursing & maternity boutique.

-Clinic is held between the hours of 8am and 11am on Sundays at Evymama 230 Danforth Avenue in Toronto.

-Appointments must be made in advance (or there may not be anyone there to see you). To make an appointment please call one of the practitioners below directly:

Helen Marshall 647-688-7301

Taya Griffin 416-996-0321

-Appointments are 1 hour in length. The fee is $60.00 per session. Fees may be paid in cash or by cheque made out directly to the practitioner.

Introducing Taya Griffin and Helen Marshall:

Helen Marshall, IBCLC

I was born in the United Kingdom and spent many years living first in Guernsey, then in Germany and finally moved to Canada in 2003. I have 2 sons, aged 5 and 10, who were both exclusively breastfed. My breastfeeding experience with my oldest child changed my life forever and set me on the path to become a Lactation Consultant. I had assumed, as many pregnant mums do, that as breastfeeding was ‘natural’ that it would also be easy. This didn’t turn out to be the case. I struggled for the first few weeks with my son but was very lucky to have excellent support during that time from family, friends and professionals and went on to nurse successfully. As my children were growing I became passionate about breastfeeding and realised that there was a real need for good support for new mums. I consider myself very lucky to wake up every morning and think “I love my job!”

I gained over 600 hours of directly supervised, hands-on experience helping mothers and babies with Dr. Jack Newman at the Newman Breastfeeding Clinic before successfully completing the IBLCE requirements to become an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant)

What is an IBCLC?

From the IBLCE website..

“The International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) credential identifies a knowledgeable and experienced member of the maternal-child health team who has specialized skills in breastfeeding management and care. The IBLCE certification program offers the only credential in lactation consulting and is available globally. IBCLCs have passed a rigorous examination that demonstrates the ability to provide competent, comprehensive lactation and breastfeeding care. Attainment of the IBCLC credential signifies that the practitioner has demonstrated competence to:

  • work together with mothers to prevent and solve breastfeeding problems
  • collaborate with other members of the health care team to provide comprehensive care that supports, protects and promotes breastfeeding
  • encourage a social environment that supports breastfeeding families
  • educate families, health professionals and policy makers about the far-reaching and long-lasting value of breastfeeding as a global public health imperative.”

More information can be found at http://americas.iblce.org/why-hire-an-ibclc

Website www.gtabreastfeeding.ca

Telephone 647-688-7301

Taya Griffin, Homeopath & Lactation counsellor

When I was a little girl I knew that one day my work would involve babies and young children. Through the years, dreamy thoughts drifted to becoming an obstetrician, children's book author and nursery school teacher. Reality saw me pursuing a BCOMM at Queens University and working in the strategy consulting world! Thankfully the spirit of the little girl in me won out and as a Homeopathic Doctor and Lactation Counsellor I delight in working with hours old babies and mischievous toddlers!

I have over 700 hours of clinical experience helping mothers to reach their breastfeeding goals. I am a graduate from the International Breastfeeding Centre/ Newman Breastfeeding Clinic’s Lactation Medicine Program where I worked as an intern directly under Dr. Jack Newman and Edith Kernerman. I am currently breastfeeding my adorable toddler, Amelia!

I am particularly passionate about prenatal breastfeeding education and run "The Keys to Breastfeeding Success" class at Evymama. Attending a prenatal breastfeeding class can help you to make important decisions that will impact your breastfeeding success. Armed with evidence-based information and lots of practical know-how you and your baby will be off to the very best start possible. If you are unable to attend a class, find the time to purchase a good book about breastfeeding, watch a video or check out some online resources. Here are a few of my favorites:

Dr. Jack Newman's Guide to Breastfeeding – Jack Newman & Teresa Pitman
Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers - Nancy Mohrbacher and Kathleen Kendall-Tackett
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding – La Leche League International

Dr. Jack Newman's Visual Guide to Breastfeeding

Newman Breastfeeding Clinic - www.nbci.ca
Breastfeeding Made Simple – www.breastfeedingmadesimple.com
Kelly Mom – Breastfeeding & Parenting – www.kellymom.com

You and your baby deserve the best breastfeeding experience possible and with gentle, consistent guidance it is within your reach to achieve the breastfeeding goals that feel right
for you and your family!

Breastfeeding books, breastfeeding supplies, galactagogues, nursing tea, nursing bras, accessories, breast pumps and pump parts all available at www.evymama.ca email info@evymama.ca or call 416.913.0546 or 416.465.9991

Monday, November 14, 2011

Nursing bra sale starts Thursday- 4 days only!

Nursing bras are Evymama's specialty! So it stands to reason that they only go on sale once in a long while- as in, once a year!
This huge 50% OFF nursing bra sale will include fashion styles that will not be recut by the manufacturer, or which we will no longer be carrying.
Lots of styles of nursing bras in lots of sizes will be included- take a peek at our website on Wednesday night to see what's included in the once-a-year Evymama nursing & maternity bra sale!

Nov 17-20, 2011- 4 days only!

As always, we offer free shipping on orders of over $300 to Canadian and Continental USA addresses!

Sale is both online at evymama.ca & in our two Toronto stores:

266 Jane Street
Toronto, M6S 3Z2
416.913.0546

230 Danforth Avenue
Toronto, M4K 1N4
416.465.9991

Sale nursing bra brands include:

Nummies nursing bras
Emma-Jane nursing bras
Royce nursing bras
Bella Materna nursing bras
Hotmilk nursing bras
Cache Coeur nursing bras
Anita nursing bras

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Prenatal breastfeeding class at Evymama!

THE KEYS TO BREASTFEEDING SUCCESS!

A NEW class at our Danforth store!

Attending a prenatal breastfeeding class can help you to make important decisions that will impact your breastfeeding success. After this class, armed with evidence-based information and lots of practical know-how, you and your baby will be off to the very best start possible.

Date: October 26th from 6:15 - 9:00 p.m.
Cost: $75.00 per couple (partners are encouraged to attend)
Instructor: Taya Griffin - Lactation Counsellor and Homeopathic Doctor
Email info@evymama.ca to register!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Grand Opening & 4-year Anniversary!


Friday Oct 14 through Sunday Oct 16
Fri & Sat 10-6, Sun 12-5
At both of our Toronto locations! 
230 Danforth Avenue, Toronto &
266 Jane Street, Toronto
Enter for a chance to WIN a $1,000 wardrobe shopping spree at Evymama! 
Promotional gift bags for the first 100 customers at each location
Gourmet truffles and fruit wine 
In-store promotions 
For web customers: 
Free domestic shipping & samples today through Sunday!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

OUR 1st EVER PRE-SEASON M COAT SALE!!!

For a limited time, the fabulous 3-in-1 M coat is 25% off at Evymama, both online and in our two Toronto, Ontario, Canada Nursing & Maternity stores!
 http://evymama.ca/collections/maternity-and-babywearing-coats/products/the-m-coat-more-colours-1

This maternity coat is for pregnancy, for wearing over your baby carrier to keep you both warm, and for just you alone (without the special panel in place) it's a luxurious, warm, trendy down coat.

-100% Canadian materials and workmanship
-Lifetime manufacturer warranty
- Evymama offers FREE Xpresspost shipping of the coat to Canadian and Continental USA addresses!

Regular price: $480.00
Limited Time Sale Price: $360.00


Hurry! The M coat sale ends September 30th!

Shop online at www.evymama.ca
Order by phone at 416.913.0546 or 416.465.9991

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Blissful maternity shopping and dressing: what to buy, when, and why, Part I

Shopping for a new maternity wardrobe can be daunting and confusing. To demystify this process for pregnant women, here are my suggestions as a mother of two, and as a maternity boutique retailer, to make the process more enjoyable, more beautiful, and more efficient.

Begin your maternity wear shopping when your lingerie (especially your bras) are becoming uncomfortable in any way, and/or when your trousers and skirts are getting snug.

Why? Correctly fitted nursing-maternity bras will not only save you from discomfort, but will save you from possibly doing damage to your growing breasts. Ill-fitting pants and skirts were not attractive when you weren't pregnant, and the same holds true(r) when you are pregnant!

I do not recommend using safety pins, rubber bands, or other makeshift contraptions to keep your unbuttoned trousers up, unless said item is a BellaBand. BellaBands are an adequate stop-gap for the period in-between regular-pants-that-will-not-and-should-not-close, and maternity pants. All other items leave you in danger of a wardrobe malfunction. I leave that to your imagination. Keep in mind that the BellaBand is just a temporary solution. It's not the pregnancy wardrobe "magic bullet" that some might suggest it is.

In addition to the improved appearance of maternity bottoms that fit, over your regular ones that do not fit at the moment, is the comfort factor. The skin on your belly needs tender attention, and chaffing waist bands (or safety pins!) will not be helpful in that regard. Begin using at this stage a pregnant belly salve, lotion or oil designed for pregnancy and which preferably does not contain chemicals or ingredients that you would not find in an organic grocery store. It will spare you itchiness and discomfort down the road as the skin on your abdomen grows taught. The jury is still out (I feel) on whether these creams will actually reduce the incidence of stretch marks, however!

Correctly fitted nursing-maternity bras will not only save you from discomfort, but will save you from doing possible damage to your growing breasts. I strongly suggest visiting Evymama for your breastfeeding brassieres if you live in, near, or are just visiting Toronto, not only because it is my business but because I know that the Evymamas will take good care of you. Of this, and a few other things in life I am sure. For others in urban centres having a shop with a wide selection of nursing bras and a competent staff, go there. If you live in a remote area, I do not suggest going to the local department store or mall-chain maternity shop without at minimum consulting our bra fitting guide first, as you will undoubtedly leave with the wrong size- and not by any fault of your own. You will be quite, quite alone in making your choices in one of those stores, and they (strangely) are unlikely to carry your size, no matter what that size may be (more on this another time- it's really a fascinating phenomenon!) I will not trouble to comment too much on the selection of nursing bras in big box stores. Suffice to say that the nursing bras at Evymama are superior in quality, size range, and appearance. I say this without boasting. It would be difficult to do worse than they do. Truly, if you live in a remote area, I humbly suggest shopping for your nursing bras in our online boutique, evymama.ca. We offer phone support for long-distance customers in addition to our online bra fitting guide, and one free return ship!

Please do not, under any circumstances, buy regular, non-maternity clothing in "a size up".

Unless your intention is to spend good money on clothes that absolutely do not and will not at any stage fit you, do not do this. People may advise you to do this. I won't say anything about those people, except that they are giving out advice that they aren't qualified to give.

Although the reasons NOT to do this will be obvious to many, they might not be obvious to one and all. Let's look at what we know about regular clothing "in a size up" against what we know is happening with your body.

Clothing that is too large for you is just that. It is large in the shoulders, at the neck, at the small of your back, in the arms, in the crotch, and in the leg. (And yes, at the waist, but not large enough for your purposes.)

Fortunately, you will likely not be carrying a child in your throat, shoulders, or knees. Your breasts will grow, yes, quite a bit. You may swell a little in the arms and face and elsewhere. Your child and his entourage of placenta and waters, and your uterus, will grow massively. If your purpose was merely to cover your pregnant belly with some form of clothing, you would need to wear regular clothes "in four sizes up" to be "successful" in your endeavour (if such a thing could be considered a success by anyone but your enemies.)

When your waist has vanished, you will come to appreciate your lovely shoulders, your neck, your rib cage, your fabulous legs (your hair, your nails...) Why would anyone hide these features under yards and yards of improperly cut (I should say improperly selected) clothing?

I beg you not to do it. It's wasteful and misguided. You will have to buy a maternity wardrobe as well, in the end.

Coming up next: Blissful maternity shopping and dressing: what to buy, when, and why, Part II.


























Monday, August 1, 2011

Maternity & nursing wear clearance sale at Evymama!

Our Summer Clearance Sale is on until August 15th! Enjoy an additional 15% off of our already discounted Summer maternity and breastfeeding fashion clothing in our two Toronto locations or shop online and use discount code SummerSale2011 in Evymama's online boutique, http://evymama.ca/

All of our beautiful maternity dresses, maternity skirts, maternity shorts, maternity trousers, and nursing tops and nursing dresses are on sale! Excludes new arrivals.

Evymama Nursing & Maternity WEST
266 Jane Street
Toronto, ON
M6S 3Z2
416.913.0546

Evymama Nursing & Maternity EAST
230 Danforth Avenue
Toronto, ON
M4K 1N4
416.465.9991